Washington, DC, USA. Recessions over the past 35 years have led to slight declines in the number of state employees, but the state workforce has always risen again when the downturn is over. The most recent recession appears to be different.

Last week’s news that the national unemployment rate had ticked up to 9.2 percent came with sobering data on state government employment. States had shed 7,000 jobs in a month, bringing overall state employment to its lowest level since 2006.

Montgomery, AL, USA. Traditionally, states have taken drug makers at their word about how much prescription medications cost. Alabama has found it pays to double-check. Soon, more states will be using the Alabama method.

Three years ago, Carol Steckel, Alabama’s Medicaid director, sent a national alert to all of her counterparts around the country. She asked them to join her in attacking fraudulent prices published by major drug makers — prices that she said inflated the amount all states were paying to pharmacies.